Former Child Soldier Escapes Extremist Group, Calls SAT-7

20th December 2018

A decade has passed since Jahan* ran away from home in Afghanistan, but he still fears his family will kill him if they find him. He courageously called the live Christian television program Signal on the network SAT-7 to share how God transformed him from a troubled fanatic into a devoted Christian. Jahan testifies in his own words:

I’m 24 years old and was born in Afghanistan. I was a member of an extremist group until I escaped and came to Iran.

I was young and loved rifles, and all I heard was about killing this person and that person because we were told they were no good, attacking infidels and those who had become Christians. We were told we have to go to war against them. One day, my father was asleep, and I ran away. I worked and earned 20 Rupees a day, and with great difficulty, managed to get to Iran.

I saw smugglers, with around 100 people they were trafficking, who told me they had ways of getting there and I too went with them. I don’t know how we got across the mountains, enduring hunger and thirst, sleeping in the cold in the mountains and fields.

I came and worked in a shop and then, aged 15, I became a builder’s apprentice, and so the days passed. I experienced much hardship to be able to have some light in my life. I got to read His book and found Him. One of my friends was a Christian and told me all about his faith over the phone. When I read the Bible, I understood that what I had been taught is very different. Someone who reads the Bible can go to his God and solve his problems.

Before I gave my heart, I read the book and today, as I sit here, if you were to ask me, I feel I am in the right place. I am happy that I have found the way for me. May the Lord allow us to open a doorway to [bring light to my family] for my heart aches for my father and mother. They don’t answer my calls and I know if they found me, they would kill me. Even here, I am in danger. My father, I hope you live a long and healthy life. I am your child, but I don’t want to live in a dark world.”

From left to right – Presenter Reza Jafari, Producer and Director Petros Mohseni, and Presenter Niloufar Raisi, on the set of Signal

Jahan is among 2 million Farsi speakers finding on-air fellowship through the Christian television programs on the SAT-7 network. “When viewers hear these stories, we really believe they will be inspired and encouraged,” explains Reza Jafari, a Presenter of Signal. “They may feel all alone and very isolated, but then they will know that there are other people just like them, going through similar situations.”

Producer and Director Petros Mohseni reveals the driving inspiration for Signal, “We want to share the everyday stories of Persian people and how their lives are being transformed by Jesus. We want our viewers, especially those who are isolated, to feel connected to a community who can encourage and support them. As Persian-speaking believers, we may be scattered all over the globe, but we are one!”

SAT-7 is the oldest and largest Christian broadcast network making the Gospel available to all in the Middle East and North Africa. The ministry broadcasts in Arabic, Farsi, and Turkish languages to a confirmed television audience of 25 million people – in addition to more via smartphone apps and web streaming.